Networks and cities' news

Portrait Series #8 - Beyond numbers: Remon Karam’s fight for identity and belonging

Remon Karam's life is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope in the face of unimaginable adversity. Born in Egypt, Remon grew up in a country brimming with rich history and culture, but also with significant political and social challenges. The turmoil following the Arab Spring in 2011 marked a turning point in his life.

Empowering Cities for Climate Resilience: The Mission Implementation Platform (MIP4Adapt)

In a world increasingly grappling with the challenges of climate change, European cities are turning to innovative solutions to adapt and thrive. The Mission Implementation Platform (MIP4Adapt) is at the forefront of these efforts, providing robust support for urban areas to achieve climate resilience.

Launched under the EU’s Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, MIP4Adapt is a comprehensive initiative designed to assist cities and regions in becoming climate-resilient by 2030. This platform offers tailored guidance, tools, and resources, enabling municipalities to effectively address climate-related risks such as heatwaves, floods, and water scarcity.

Rethinking housing policies in order to fight depopulation: Saint-Quentin’s Approach

One of the key strategies to address depopulation lies in rethinking housing policies. Ensuring high-quality, affordable housing that meets the needs of diverse population groups—especially young people—is essential to reversing the trend of outmigration. By fostering vibrant neighborhoods and improving living conditions, housing policies play a pivotal role in halting the exodus of residents and revitalizing the urban fabric.

Shaping Circular Cities: Insights from the Let’s Go Circular! Mid Term Reflection process and open call for action

In a world where linear consumption drives resource depletion and waste, the ‘’Let’s Go Circular! Paving the way for circular cities’’ (LGC!) network is showing the way forward. This URBACT Action Planning Network, comprising ten diverse cities, is championing circular economy principles to create resilient, resource-efficient urban environments. From Munich to Tirana, these cities are transforming the way they approach consumption, governance, and sustainability.

The Mid Term Reflection session of the LGC! network, held in October 2024 in Malmo, Sweden, provided a comprehensive overview of efforts to promote circular economy principles across participating cities and beyond. With representatives from ten cities, including Munich, Cluj-Napoca, Malmö, Oulu, Riga, Corfu, Guimaraes, Lisbon, Tirana and Oulu, this initiative aims to embed sustainable circular economy practices into local policies and actions. This article summarizes progress, challenges, and future steps, reflecting the collective ambition to shape greener urban environments.

Sport Urbanism: A New Paradigm for Urban Regeneration and Sustainable, Beautiful Cities for All

Sport urbanism is emerging as a powerful concept in the transformation of our cities. This approach advocates for integrating sports into urban design as a green, inclusive solution that enhances the beauty and functionality of public spaces. Sport-based solutions doesn't just make cities more attractive; they also turn public areas into vibrant hubs that promote well-being, public health, and environmental sustainability. By placing sports at the heart of urban regeneration, we can create spaces that are aesthetically pleasing and serve as collective spaces for communities, fostering social connections and improving the quality of life for all residents.

Sportsgrounds of the Future: How Cities Are Rethinking Public Space for Adolescents' Wellbeing

Urban spaces often reveal the character of a city. They are places of movement, stillness, interaction, and solitude. For adolescents, however, public spaces are much more than physical environments—they are stages for self-expression, arenas for competition, and places for belonging. Yet, in many cities, these vital spaces remain underused or inaccessible to youth, either by design or neglect.

Adolescence is a transformative stage of life, marked by the search for identity, independence, and social belonging. Cities play a critical role in shaping these experiences; however, too often, urban environments fail to cater to the specific needs of young people. Thoughtfully designed public spaces can become vital arenas where adolescents gather, express themselves, and connect with their communities. However, these spaces must be more than functional; they must resonate with the energy and aspirations of youth.

The Re-Gen network of cities—spanning from Southern Europe to the Baltic—has embraced this challenge. Each city has embarked on a distinctive journey to test how sports and recreational activities can rejuvenate public spaces and empower adolescents. These cities are experimenting with bold solutions to make public spaces more inviting for their youngest residents, involving them in the process. The key? Sports and recreation, woven seamlessly into the urban fabric.